OVERVIEW

Sunrooms are a very popular home improvement. They are incredibly popular in most regions. Most of my work has been done in Virginia and Maine. The two states are very different in climates, but sunrooms are extremely popular in both states. There can be some design differences between various climates, but the idea of having a sunroom plays well in any climate.

Many of the sunrooms in Maine don't incorporate extensive ventilation. This is in contrast to sunrooms in southern states where ventilation is often a major factor. Solarium-style glass panels are popular in colder climates while casement windows and sliding-glass doors are fashionable in warmer climate.

When it comes to style and design, sunrooms open a window of creativity. They can be passive-solar rooms, glorified screened porches where glass is added, and so forth. The cost for sunrooms can range from moderate to very expensive. Our goal in this chapter is to discuss construction and remodeling options when creating a sunroom.

ADDING A SUNROOM

Adding a sunroom to a home is similar to building a room addition. You can refer to the previous chapter for many of the details on what to look for when adding space to a home. Zoning requirements, covenants, restrictions, foundation matters and similar steps will be essentially the same with a sunroom as they would be with a room addition. There are differences in the framing process, due to the increased amount of windows, glass, and doors. Roofing is often the same, but...